Rest device.



PATENTED SEPT. e, 1904.

R. W. SOHROEDER.

REST DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2a, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

IN V5 70/? Zak/56:2"? fifZ/Eeim JE/zro Pd?! A HORNE Y8 WI TNESSES ilNiTED STATES Patented September 6, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

REST DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 769,495, dated September 6, 1904. Application filed September 23, 1903. Serial No. 174,314. N0 model.)

To (1.7] whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD \VILnnLM Sonnonnna, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bloomington, in the county of McLean and State of Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Rest Device, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to furniture; and its object is to provide a new and improved rest device more especially designed for use on the backs of chairs, school-desks, couches, and like pieces of furniture and arranged to properly support the back and sides of the person occupying the chair, to avoid undue fatigue and allow natural respiration, and to prevent deformities of the chest and shoulders.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure .I is a perspective view of the improvement as applied. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the improvement. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of the improvement as applied. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the attaching device, and Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view of the improvement on the line (5 6 in Fig. l.

The improved rest(illustrated in Figs. 1, 2,. and 3) consists, essentially, of a frame A, removably fastened by a device B to the side bars U (1" of the back (1 of a chair (1 of any approved construction; but it is expressly understood that the device may be attached to or form part of other pieces of furniture, such as benches, school-desks, couches, and the like. The frame A. of open,veneered, (pressed,) or skeleton work, is approximately semicircular in cross-section and convex at the back and sides in a vertical direction, so that a person seated on the chair (I and leaning back into the frame has the sides and back of the body supported in a natural healthy manner to give comfort to the person, especially by insuring complete rest of the abdominal muscles and the muscles of the back and sides of the body.

The skeleton frame i (shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3) consists of top and bottom cross-bars A A curved to an approximately semicircular shape and connected with each other at the middle by upright bars A, curved to con vex form, as plainly indicated in Fig. 3. The ends of the cross-bars A A are connected by convex end bars A" and by curved armrests A".

The fastening device B for attaching the frame A to the chair consists, preferably, of a cross-bar B, either permanently secured or held vertically adjustable on the middle upright bar A, and the outer ends of this crossbar B are recessed to snugly lit the front portion of the side bars C, engaged at the rear portions by the outer ends of a correspondingly-shaped cross-bar B fastened by a clamping screw or bolt B" to the bar B at the middle of the said bars B and B Thus by screwing up the bolt B" the outer ends of the bars B and B are lirmly clamped upon the side bars C of the chair-back to securely fasten the device in place. By the arrangement described the frame A may be clamped to the back of the chair at any desired height, so as to give the most comfort to the occupant of the chair.

1n the modified form (illustrated in a, 5, and 6) the frame 1) is made from a single piece of material, but in open, veneered, or skeleton form, and is approximately semicircular in cross-section and convex in an upright direction and is likewise removably attachable to the back of the chair or other piece of furniture. To the rear of the frame 1), preferably at or near the middle thereof, is fastened a spring cross-bar E, mounted to slide at its outer ends in guideways F, provided with cushioned lugs F, engaging the side bars C of the chair-back C and the said guideways F are connected with each other by bars 6- G, having their inner ends connected by an elastic band (,r', so as to draw the lugs F in lirm contact with the side bars C of the chair to firmly hold the cross-bar E, and consequently the frame D, in the desired position on the back of the chair C. By

the operator leaning back in the frame D the spring cross-bar E is free to yield, as its ends slidably engage the guideways F, removably attached to the side bars C of the chair. After the pressure is released the cross-bar E by its own resiliency springs back to its previous position, thus yieldingly supporting the frame D to give the desired comfort to the back of the person seated on the chair C.

I do not limit myself to any particular fastening device for removably 'or otherwise securing the frame A or D to the piece of furniture on which the rest is to be used, as such fastening device may be varied or the rest permanently built up with the chair in the manufacture thereof without deviating from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A rest device for attachment to a chair comprising a vertically-elongated frame of open veneered or skeleton work and approximately semicircular in cross-section with its side edges turned forwardly, the back of the frame being convex vertically, and means for attaching the frame at the longitudinal and horizontal central portion of its back to a piece of furniture, as set forth.

2. A rest device for attachment to the back of a chair comprising a vertically-elongated frame, approximately semicircular in crosssection with its side edges turned forwardly and curved forwardly from their ends to their centers and having its rear vertical side bowed forwardly from the top and bottom of the rest to the center thereof, and an attaching device extending transversely at the rear of the said back, between the same and the back of the chair, and provided at its center with means for engaging the center of the back part of the frame to connect the same to the chair-back, and being slidably held at its ends.

3. A rest device, comprising a verticallyelongated frame approximately semicircular in horizontal section, and having its back convex in vertical section, guideways for attachment to the piece of furniture with which the rest is to be used, and a spring-plate extending transversely and securedv about its center to the central portion of said back, with its ends working loosely in said guideways whereby to adapt said rest to rock rearwardly and forwardly at its top and bottom, and to the right and left at its sides.

4. A rest device comprising a verticallyelongated frame approximately semicircular in cross-section and having its back bowed forwardly from the top to the bottom of the rest, a horizontal spring-plate bowed forwardly and secured at its center to the rear central portion of the said back, guideways for the ends of the plate to slide in, a springband connecting the guideways with each other, and clamping-lugs on the guideways, for engagement with a piece of furniture, as set forth.

5. In a rest device, a spring-bar connected to the same for holding it in operative position, and guideways for attachment to a piece of furniture, the ends of said spring-bar loosely sliding in said guideways.

6. The combination with a rest device, of means for securing the same to a piece of furniture, said means comprising clamping-lugs, a spring-band connecting said lugs, and a transverse supporting bar connecting said lugs with said rest.

7 The combination with a rest device, of a spring-bar connected thereto, between its ends, guideways in which the free ends of said bar loosely work, a spring-band connecting the guideways with each other, and clampinglugs secured to said guideways for engagement with a piece of furniture.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD WILHELM SCHROEDER.

Witnesses:

LOUIS FITZ HENRY, R. F. BERRY. 

